Army Service Uniform

Timeline of changes

• 1774: Blue Continental Army coat, with state facing colors, and white waistcoat and breeches or overalls. (Historical Note/Ref: The origin of "blue" as the primary uniform color is earlier during the Colonial period of the Continental Association or First Continental Congress which met in Philadelphia, PA and adjourned on Oct 26, 1774.) George Washington was the appointed Presiding Officer.

While Washington was in Philadelphia, one hundred neighbors in Fairfax County (VA), under the tutelage of George Mason, had organized themselves into a voluntary militia—probably the first in the colony—electing Washington their commander. Borrowing the colors of the English Whig party, the Fairfax Independent Company wore blue uniforms with buff facings and white stockings.^[1]

Washington used Thomas Webb’s A Military Treatise on the Appointments of the Army as a guide for outfitting this particular unit. Washington would soon accept the additional field command of another four independent companies: in Prince William, Fauquier, Richmond, and Spotsylvania Counties.^[2]

• 1782: Red facings only with branch of service white (infantry) or yellow (artillery) metal buttons.
• 1810: French uniform coat with cut-in skirt fastened in front; sleeved roundabout jacket for fatigue and field service.
• 1813: Uniform coat devoid of buttonhole lace and facing colors.
• 1821: Congressional confirmation of army wear of national blue; practical gray wool pantaloons for the winter mud, a tradition of contrasting shades.
• 1829: Undress frock (full round skirt) coat in place of officer's civilian clothes.
• 1832: Branch of service cap insignia, gold or silver officer grade insignia on epaulettes and sky-blue trousers for all but staff and generals.
• 1835: Shoulder straps, used to hold fringed epaulettes, with undress, officer grade.
• 1851: French frock (full skirt) coat only uniform, trimmed in system of branch of service colors.
• 1854: New waist-length uniform jacket for mounted troops
• 1872: Blouse for garrison and field, uniform coat for dress, with epaulettes for generals.
• 1881: Dark blue flannel overshirt often in place of blouse on field service.
• 1885: Sky-blue kersey trousers, aniline dye richer shade than original vegetable dye.
• 1895: Officer's undress sack coat, with black trim; branch of service insignia and national cypher "U.S." on collar, with national eagle on cap.
• 1902: Olive drab wool and khaki cotton service uniforms introduced; blue retained only for dress, full dress, mess dress, and special evening dress, trimmed with branch of service color. New patterns of blue full dress and dress uniforms adopted for both officers and enlisted men ^[3] Leather color changed from black to russet. The M1902 visored cap is adopted.^[4]
• 1907 and 1912: Minor changes prescribed for 1902 model blue dress and full dress uniforms.^[5]
• 1911: Wool felt M1911 Campaign Hat adopted. Hat cords were in Branch colors for enlisted men, a gold metallic thread and black cord braid for Subaltern and Field Officers, and woven of gold metallic thread for General Officers.
• 1917: Wearing of blue dress, full dress and mess dress uniforms suspended for the duration of the war. Warrant Officers were authorized a hat cord of silver metallic thread and black cord braid for wear with the M1911 Campaign Hat. The side-folding cloth Overseas Cap was unofficially adopted by AEF personnel in a variety of styles influenced by similar Allied patterns.
• 1921: The M1911 Campaign Hat was redesigned.
• 1928: Return of pre-war blue dress uniforms with new visor cap, optional at expense of wearer.^[6]
• 1938: Officer's blue roll-collar coat adopted, with branch of service-color trim and dress belt (from full dress coat).
• 1939: The side-folding Overseas Cap is universally adopted as the Garrison Cap.
• 1940: No blue uniform required during emergency (end of saber).
• 1941: The M1911 Campaign Hat is declared Limited Standard.
• 1947: President Harry S. Truman note on lack of dress uniform and return of pre-war pattern; evening dress uniform cuff with single gold lace and insignia of grade.
• 1953: Post-war officer and EM pattern with patch pockets; no traditional branch of service color trim on EM uniform and officers' trousers stripes.
• 1954: Official adoption of the Army green Class "A" uniform.
• 1956: Distinctive uniform for bands and honor guards. Leather color changed from russet to black.
• 1957: Women's army blue uniform same cut as 1951 Taupe-121 uniform.
• 1959: Army blue uniforms for year-round wear.
• 1962: Women's army blue same as army green uniform, with new service hat.
• 1963: Mandatory possession of officer's army blue uniform.
• 1972: Officers' mess jacket cuff ornamentation simplified to resemble that of 1947 evening dress (grade insignia replaced branch insignia; single strand of gold lace replaced multiple ones which previously showed grade).
• 2008: the new blue army service uniform (ASU) is introduced for optional wear by soldiers.^[7]
• 2010: blue ASU issued to all soldiers, beginning in autumn.
• 2015: Army green Class "A" uniform officially retired; blue ASU worn army-wide after October 1.

Details

In the early days of the U.S. Army, the uniform worn in combat was essentially the same as that worn for everyday duties. This was the common practice with most armies of the time. This changed in modern times, as field uniforms were developed which were more suited for battle.

During the Civil War era, army uniforms were relatively simple. Typically, the same uniform served as a garrison uniform and as a combat uniform. Combat soldiers in the Civil War wore a standard dark blue coat, just like personnel in garrisons or in army offices and headquarters. In the first half of the war, many states supplied their regiments with uniforms, resulting in distinctive jackets and buttons. Rank was indicated by a shoulder strap for officers, and chevrons on the sleeves for non-commissioned officers. Branch or specialty could be indicated by the color of the enlisted badge of rank, or the background color for officers' shoulder straps. Uniform standards were relaxed during the war years, especially on campaign, and men often wore a variety of hats in the field.^[8]

The 1899 Army Uniform Regulations provided for a cotton khaki uniform for field service, drawing on the experience of the Spanish–American War when both blue and drab clothing had been worn.^[9] From 1902 to 1917, the army had two uniforms: a service uniform of wool olive drab Melton cloth for use by soldiers in the field, and a blue dress uniform used for ceremonies and off-post wear by enlisted men.^[10]

Lieutenant General Edmund B. Gregory, the Quartermaster General, looking back in 1946, pointed out that World War I uniforms had subtly changed from a comfortable loose-fitting four pocket field garment to a tight-fitting version suitable only for garrison wear. At the outbreak of World War II, the army had to develop new loose-fitting patterns which the men could live in, as well as muster on the parade ground. Gregory noted that this gradual change to a tight-fitting uniform in peacetime has been characteristic of the history of uniforms in all armies.^[10]

Around 1940, soldiers began to use special uniforms designed for combat or field operations, with numerous special equipment and packs. The M-1941 Field Jacket was one of the first clothing items which was approved specifically for use in the field, and which was not meant to be part of a standard service uniform.^[11]

After this, service uniforms started to become more elaborate, as they were not needed to be useful in combat, and could take on a unique appearance, with new features and embellishments. Units began to display their own special patches, and badges were added for various specialties.

Among the earliest unit patches was for the 81st Infantry Division. This unit trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. They created patches showing a wildcat, so that they could identify each other quickly in combat. Some officers questioned this, but General John Pershing decided it was a good idea, so the army started to implement it for all units.^[12]

The first commendation ever used by the U.S. military was the original Purple Heart, designed personally by George Washington. It was originally a medal for valor, and at the time was the only one issued by the U.S. Army. It fell out of use after the American Revolution but was later revived and became the modern commendation for wounds in battle, which is how it is used today. World War I was the first time that the army began to award a variety of medals and decorations, except for the Medal of Honor, which was first awarded during the Civil War.

The Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge were created in 1943 by the United States Secretary of War. The combat infantryman badge was originally awarded for valor in combat. In 1947, every soldier who earned it was given a Bronze Star, and since then, it is awarded for having participated in ground combat.^[13]

History

The Army currently uses the blue Army Service Uniform. According to Army Regulation 670-1: Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, Army White, and Army Blue uniforms are considered Dress Uniforms. The Army Service Uniform seeks to combine these distinctions through wear stipulations.^[14] Possession and use of the blue ASU is now mandatory for all soldiers as of October 1, 2015,^[15] when the green class A was retired. As of fall 2010, enlisted soldiers receive the blue service uniform as part of their basic clothing bag issue when they enter the army during initial entry training. The army further provides active-duty enlisted soldiers an annual clothing allowance to maintain proper fit and appearance of their basic clothing bag issue items. The army includes a series of stipends in this annual clothing allowance towards the replacement of the green service uniform and all basic clothing bag items.

Commissioned officers are given a one-time stipend when commissioned to purchase their required uniform items. Officers then maintain proper fit and appearance of their uniform items throughout their career. The army requires officers to purchase and maintain only the blue service uniform.

To streamline the number of uniforms soldiers purchase and maintain throughout their careers, the army has phased out the green and white service uniforms and retained the blue service uniform as the army service uniform.

The ASU was announced in 2006 by then-Army Chief of Staff General Peter Schoomaker, and will serve as the U.S. Army's dress, garrison, and ceremonial uniform. Since the new army uniform is now standard, the only green uniform remaining in the U.S. military are the olive green Marine Corps service uniform.

The ASU made its "debut" at the 2007 State of the Union Address, when General Schoomaker wore his army blue uniform.

The ASU used the preexisting "army blue" uniform as a model. Accordingly, in terms of color the ASU resembles the campaign uniforms worn by soldiers during the Mexican–American War, American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish–American War prior to the introduction of khaki uniforms in the 1890s (phased out in 1985) and olive drab uniforms in 1902 (phased out and replaced with "army green" between 1955 and 1957), making the blue uniform a dress uniform. Dress uniforms of dark-blue tunics and light-blue trousers were worn by all ranks until 1917 and reintroduced in a modernized form (with open collar and tie) for officers and warrant officers in 1937.

Description

The ASU includes a midnight blue coat and low waist trousers for male soldiers; and a midnight blue coat, slacks and skirt for female soldiers. The fabric for the ASU is heavier and more wrinkle resistant than previously manufactured uniforms and will consist of 55% wool and 45% polyester material. The ASU coat has a tailored, athletic cut to improve uniform fit and appearance. The ASU includes an improved heavier and wrinkle resistant short and long-sleeved white shirt with permanent military creases and shoulder loops. The JROTC version replaces the white shirt with the prototype grey shirt and gold braid is not worn on the blue trousers or on the sleeves of the class A coat. Compared to the Army's previous uniforms, the ASU does not include a garrison cap; soldiers will continue to wear the Army's berets.

The army encourages soldiers and leaders who own the current army blue uniform to wear it, when appropriate, as their dress, class "A", or class "B" Uniform. The fielding of the new uniform policy establishes a class "B" uniform category for the current army blue uniform as part of its bridging strategy. The class "B" uniform category defines those ASU items worn without the service coat.^[16]

Dress ASU

The dress blue ASU for males includes the blue coat and trousers and a long-sleeved white shirt with black tie. The dress blue ASU for females includes the blue coat, skirt, and a long-sleeved white shirt with black neck tab. Currently, females in army bands, honor guards, and female chaplains are authorized to wear army blue slacks in the performance of their duties. The black beret and service cap are authorized for wear with this uniform. Combat boots and organizational items, such as brassards, military police accessories and distinctive unit insignia are not worn. All other accessories and insignia authorized for wear with the class "A" service uniform are authorized for wear on the dress blue ASU.

Class "A" ASU

The class "A" ASU includes the army blue coat and trousers/skirt/slacks, a short or long sleeved white shirt and four-in-hand necktie (male)/neck tab (female) (for accessories and other items authorized for wear on the class "A" ASU, see ASU accessory items authorized for wear).

New blue ASU class "A" uniform with jump boots.

This uniform also exists in the army JROTC program in a modified version. The main difference is that the AJROTC version mostly resembles the original trial version of the army service uniform which consisted of a grey, long or short sleeved shirt and the blue trousers without the gold stripe sewn on. The blue class A coat is exactly the same as the current issue coat except that the gold edge trimming is not worn on the sleeves of the blue coat, the main blue shade of army blue 450 is the same as on the current army service uniform and the official headgear authorized is the grey beret with a black center flash with gold trim. The official designation of the uniform is the "AJROTC cadet service uniform," or The ASU as well. The new cadet army service uniform will completely replace the cadet army green uniform by October 2015. Most AJROTC units possessed the new blue uniform by October 2014.

Class "B" ASU

New blue ASU class "B" uniform with jump boots.

The class "B" ASU includes the army blue trousers/skirt/slacks, a short or long sleeve white shirt. Soldiers will wear the four-in-hand necktie with the long sleeve white shirt when it is worn without the class "A" coat. Until the new ASU items are available, soldiers who have the low waist trousers with belt loops, or slacks, have the option of wearing a commercial short sleeve white shirt with shoulder loops in the open collar configuration or with a four-in-hand necktie (black neck tab for female soldiers). Soldiers have the option of wearing a commercial long sleeve white shirt with shoulder loops and a four-in-hand necktie (black neck tab for female soldiers). Soldiers who have the current commercial white shirt without shoulder loops must wear as appropriate, the black wind breaker, black pullover or black cardigan sweaters with this uniform.

Soldiers who have the high waist blue trousers worn with suspenders (designed to wear with the blue mess uniform) may wear these trousers with the current ASU during this transition period. These high waist trousers must be worn with the service coat, black wind breaker, black pullover or black cardigan sweaters.

Components

• The ASU consists of the following items:

1. Coat, army blue shade 450
2. Trousers, army blue shade 451, low Waist With Belt Loops (male soldiers)
3. Slacks, Low Waist (female soldiers)
4. Skirt (female soldiers)

Accessory items

Source:^[7]

1. Belt and buckle^[17]
2. Black combat boots (optional for wear with class "A" and class "B" uniforms for soldiers authorized to wear the tan, green, or maroon berets, those assigned to air assault coded positions, and military police soldiers performing MP duties.)^[18]
3. Black bow tie (worn after retreat)^[19]
4. Buttons^[20]
5. Black cape (officer only)^[21]
6. Blue cape (officer only)^[22]
7. Chaplain's apparel^[23]
8. Gold cuff links and studs^[24]
9. Black all-weather coat^[25]
10. Black leather dress gloves (worn with black all weather coat or black wind breaker)^[26]
11. White dress gloves^[27]
12. Black handbag^[28]
13. Black shoulder bag^[29]
14. Black clutch^[30]
15. Drill sergeant hat (authorized for wear with class "A" and class "B" uniforms)^[31]
16. Judge's apparel^[32]
17. Military police accessories (not authorized with the formal class "A" ASU)
18. Black necktie (worn on duty)^[33]
19. Neck tabs^[34]
20. Black scarf (only with black all weather coat or black windbreaker)^[35]
21. White long-sleeve shirt^[36]
22. White short-sleeve shirt^[37]
23. Black shoes^[38]
24. Black pumps^[39]
25. Black cushioned socks (worn with boots only)^[40]
26. Black dress socks (worn with trousers/slacks)^[41]
27. Sheer stockings^[42]
28. Black pullover sweater^[43]
29. Black unisex Cardigan^[44]
30. White undershirt^[45]
31. Black umbrella (female soldiers may carry and use an umbrella, only during inclement weather, when wearing the dress blue ASU. Umbrellas are not authorized in formations or when wearing field or utility uniforms)
32. Black windbreaker (only with class "B" uniform)^[46]

Insignia, awards, badges and accoutrements

1. Service aiguillettes (officers only) (not authorized on the class "B" ASU)^[47]
2. Airborne background trimming^[48]
3. Branch of service scarf (not authorized on the enlisted formal class "A" service uniform)^[49]
4. Branch insignia (not authorized on the class "B" ASU)^[50]
5. Brassards (not authorized on the dress blue ASU)^[51]
6. Combat service identification badge (CSIB). Worn when available in place of the Green uniforms shoulder sleeve insignia. The CSIB will be worn centered on the wearer's right breast pocket of the ASU coat for male soldiers; female soldiers wear the CSIB on the right side parallel to the waistline on the ASU coat. The CSIB is ranked fifth in order of precedence below the Presidential, Vice-Presidential, Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badges. The CSIB can also be worn on the shirt when wearing the class "B" versions of the ASU^[52]
7. Decorations and ribbons^[53]
8. Distinctive items authorized for infantrymen^[54]
9. Distinctive unit insignia (enlisted only) (authorized for wear on the class "A" and class "B" uniforms only)^[55]
10. Foreign badges^[56]
11. Fourragere lanyards^[57]
12. Gold Star lapel pin^[58]
13. Headgear insignia^[59]
14. Rank insignia^[60]
15. Officer candidate and warrant officer candidate insignia.^[61]
16. Nameplate^[62]
17. Organizational flash^[63]
18. Overseas service bars (optional)^[64]
19. Distinctive regimental insignia (optional)^[65]
20. Service stripes (enlisted personnel only)^[66]
21. Unit awards^[67]
22. U.S. badges (identification, marksmanship, combat and special skill)^[68]
23. U.S. Insignia (not authorized on the class "B" ASU)^[69]

Headgear

1. Black, brown, maroon, tan, or green beret. (Compared to the former green uniform, a garrison cap is no longer issued.)
2. Service cap (male/female; corporals and above)
3. Stetson (U.S. Cavalry)

Miscellaneous

• Officer and non-commissioned officers will wear trousers with a gold braid sewn on the outside of seam of each trouser leg of the new blue ASU. The braid will be sewn from the bottom of the waistband to the bottom of the trouser leg (soldiers assigned to the Old Guard are authorized the gold braid regardless of grade).
• On the new ASU, service stripes are authorized for wear on the left sleeve for enlisted soldiers and Overseas Service Bars on the right sleeve for both officers and enlisted soldiers. The new service stripes and Overseas Service Bars are similar in size to the ones currently worn on the army green uniform. The new service stripes and Overseas Service Bars will be gold in color and trimmed in blue to match the ASU. During the transition to the new ASU, the traditional larger service stripes on the optional white and blue (short jacket) mess dress uniform will be maintained.
• The current (old) blue uniform ( with large service stripes) remains authorized for wear until the final quarter of Fiscal Year 2014.
• Soldiers who have the current (old) blue uniform are not required to remove the existing large service stripes.
• Privates through specialists who now own the current blue trousers are not required to remove the existing gold braid on their trouser legs.
• Until the last quarter of Fiscal Year 2014 official photos can be in either the army green service uniform or the blue ASU.
• The wear out date for the army green service uniform with accessories is the 4th quarter of Fiscal Year 2015.
• All new insignia worn on the ASU will be designed and developed by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry
• The grey shirt initially developed for the army service uniform is only authorized for army JROTC units.
• The gold braid is only authorized for the active army and is not authorized for wear on the JROTC cadet ASU. I.e. the trousers or the coat sleeves.